Bruce, 55, will become the sixth man to pick the Villa team inside the last 12 months.

He said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity. It is one of the big clubs of this country. To be given the opportunity to manage it is terrific.

“I relish the challenge of trying to take the club where it wants to go and needs to be - and try to turn around the misfortune we seem to have had over the past few years.

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VILLAN: Steve Bruce is the new Aston Villa boss

“I am absolutely delighted to have been given the chance. I hope I can do my stuff.”

Xia said: “I’m delighted to welcome Steve to the football club. With his track record, not only at leading teams to promotion from the Championship but also vast experience in the Premier League, I believe we have secured the services of an excellent manager.

But Bruce’s arrival spells the end for interim boss Steve Clarke who has decided to leave the club.

The Scot had been a strong contender to take over from Di Matteo.

Bruce - who takes charge for the first time against Wolves on Saturday - will now try to bring in some of his own backroom staff with Hull’s Stephen Clemence believed to be top of his wanted list.

And Tigers’ £10m striker Abel Hernandez is ready to slash his wage demands in a bid to re-join his old boss at Villa.

The Uruguayan international, who scored 23 goals last season, was distraught when Bruce quit.

He’s been offered a new £55,000-a-week deal which would make him Hull’s highest earner but has yet to sign and is thought to want out.